Dental clamp



Jan. 25, 1955 H. c. PETERSON Q 2,700,220

' DENTAL CLAMP Filed Feb. 23, 1954 I NVENTOR United States Patent fDENTAL CLAMP Howard C. Peterson, Sioux Falls, S. Dak.

Application February 23, 1954, Serial No. 411,648

5 Claims, (Cl. 32-63) This invention relates to a dental clamp.

The invention is more particularly concerned with dental clamps usedparticularly for holding a dental matrix band in conformity with thesurface of a tooth.

The clamp forming the subject matter of this application is animprovement on the clamp disclosed in my Patent No. 2,651,841 and towhich patent reference may be-made for a more detailed disclosure of theuse of the present clamp.

The clamp disclosed in my said patent comprises a circular body memberformed of a single length of spring wire-like material from whoseopposite ends project a pair of co-operating jaws in generally rightangular relation to the plane of the circular body member. The

.jaws normally retain a closed position under the inherent resiliency ofthe body member and the latter is provided with a pair of diametricallyopposed finger engageable projections for expanding the circular bodymember with a corresponding separation of the jaws in the application ofthe clamp.

While the patented structure, as above referred to, has provensatisfactory in the retention of a dental matrix in the manner disclosedin the patent, it has been found that the manipulation of the clamprequired undue efiort on the part of a dentist for the reason thatopposed radial outward pressures on the projections were necessary inorder to effect separation of the jaws. Such radial outward pressuresmust of course be provided by a dentists fingers, either of one or ofboth hands.

The separation of the projections by fingers of one hand has been foundto be difficult and in the use of both hands sacrifice is made of apossible need of adjusting the matrix band during the positioning of theclamp.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide a clampfor retaining a matrix band in operative position whereby same iscapable of manipulation by r the thumb and forefinger of one hand and bythe natural movement of the thumb and forefinger toward each other, asis exercised in the grasping of any object.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamp for the abovenoted purpose which includes a generally circular resilient body memberand a pair of co-operating jaws normally retained in closed position bythe inherent resiliency of the body member, and wherein fingerengageable means are provided in operative association with the bodymember whereby same may be expanded with a corresponding separation ofthe jaws upon relatively little movement of opposed fingers toward eachother and in opposition to the movement of the jaws.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent inthe course of the following detailed description, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1 is a side elevationalview of the improved clamp shown in operative matrix band engagingposition, and which figure corresponds to Fig. 1 of the said patent.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the improved clamp in normal jaw closedposition.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view as observed in the plane of line33 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view as observed from. the jaw side of theclamp.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view as observed in the plane of line5-5 on Fig. 2.

f the above described figures, Nos. 1, 2 and 4 are on a somewhatenlarged scale while Nos. 3 and are on a still further enlarged scale.

plastic ribbon or matrix band B. The matrix band B' is of substantiallength and is folded intermediate its ends with the fold engaging andconforming with the surface of tooth T to retain the filling F thereinand the opposed wings of the folded band extend some distance from thefold internally and externally of other teeth T as is fully disclosed inmy referred to patent. V v

The matrix band B is retained in firm engagement with tooth T andfilling F by the improved clamp designated generally as 10 and whichwill now be described in detail.

The clamp comprises a circular body member 11 which is formed ofrelatively heavy gauge resilient wire-like material and the said bodymember has opposed ends from which project jaws 12 in substantiallyright angular relation to the plane of the body member, and 'which jaws{are provided with serrations 13 on their inner co-acting aces.

Disposed within the circular body member 11 is a resilient member 14formed from a single length of wirelike material of substantially lessgauge than that of the circular body member 11.

The member 14 includes a main arcuate body portion 15 which generallyconforms to the inner circumference of the body member 11 and which issecured thereto at a point diametrically opposed to the jaws 12 bysoldering or welding, as is indicated at 16.

The member 14 further includes a pair of spaced parallel arms 17 whichproject inwardly in right angular relation to a vertical plane extendingbetween the jaws 12 and through the securement 16.

The member 14 has secured thereto as by soldering or welding a guideloop 18 adjacent the outer end of each arm 17 and such loops extendabout the body member 11, as is more clearly indicated in Fig. 3.

Each arm 17 terminates in a loop 19 which depends from the plane of bodymember 11 in opposition to the jaws 12 and which loops are parallel withthe vertical plane above referred to.

Each loop 19 includes an eye 20 which loosely re; ceives the opposingarm 17. The loops 19 provide finger engageable means whereby uponengagement thereof by a thumb and forefinger from the outer sidesthereof, same may be moved toward each other as indicated by lines I andin the directions of arrows a in Fig. 4 and due to the connections 18 ofthe arms with the body member 11, same will be expanded with aconsequent separation of the jaws 12, as indicated by lines I and inopposed directions indicated by arrows b and which directions areopposed to those of the movement of loops 19.

While the member 14 to some extent reinforces the body member 11, theprovision of loops 19, movable toward each other, provides forseparation of the jaws 12 under slight manual efiort and as will beapparent from Fig. 4, the jaws 12 will separate a distance substantiallytigual to twice the distance of movement of each loop While I havedisclosed my invention in accordance with a single specific structuralembodiment thereof, such is to be considered as illustrative only, andnot restrictive, llile scope of the invention being defined in thesubjoined c aims.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. A clamp comprising a circular resilient body member having adjacentfree ends from which project jaws at substantially right angles to theplane of the body member, and means within the body member including apair of finger engageable members and connections between same and saidbody member whereby the body member is expanded with a correspondingseparation of the jaws upon movement of said finger engageable memberstoward each other.

2. A clamp comprising a circular resilient body member having adjacentfree ends from which project jaws at substantially right angles to theplane of the body Patent -.10. 25, 1955' member, a pair of parallel armsproiectinginwardly from Opposite sides of said body member and being inoverlapped relation for portions of their extent, and a fingerengageable member secured to the inner end of each arm whereby the bodymember is expandable and the jaws separable upon movement @of saidfinger engageable members :toward each other and in opposition ,to thedirection of separating movement of athe jaws.

3.) A clamp comprising acircular resilient body member :having .adjacentfree ends from which project jaws at sfubstantially right angles Lto the:plane of the body member, a resilient member disposed within said bodymember and including ,an-arcuate portion generally conforming )t0 theinner ;.cireumference of said body member, said .arcuate portion beingconnected ;to said body .member at apointdiametrically opposed tosaidjaws, the said resilient member further including a pair of spacedparal- 4,v lel arms projecting inwardly from opposite ends of saidarcuate portion at right angles to a vertical plane extending betweensaid'jaws and through said connection, said arms being in lappingrelation adjacent said plane, and a finger engageable manipulatingmember on the inner end of each arm.

4. The structure according to claim 3, wherein said arcuate portion isslidably connected to said body member adjacent the outer end ofeach ofsaid arms.

5. The structure according to claim 3; wherein each of said fingerengageable manipulating members comprises a loop depending from theplane .of said body member in opposition to said jaws, each said loopbeing a continuation-of the-corresponding arm and ,having an eye freelyreceiving the opposing arm.

No references cited.

